Snap assembly actuator housing and valve mounting bracket

ABSTRACT

A valve assembly comprising a valve, a mounting plate, a snap-together actuator, and a mounting bracket. The snap-together actuator is assembled by a set of snap wings that are attached to one piece of the actuator housing and inserted into slits in the other piece of the actuator housing. The actuator housing is then bolted to the valve and mounting plate. The mounting plate is received by the mounting bracket, which may be pre-mounted into place in the valve system. The mounting bracket contains a retaining clip and a snap wing that secures the valve mounting plate to the valve mounting bracket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/286,505, filed Apr. 26, 2001, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/287,544, filed Apr. 30, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a modular actuatorvalve and mounting arrangements, valve assembly, and more specificallyto a snap assembly valve actuator housing and a modular valve mountingbracket arrangement. These two features may be used individually orcombined.

BACKGROUND

[0003] When designing a fluid flow system that includes one or morevalves, it is desirable to provide for easy installation of the valves.The installation of valves within a system may be a cumbersome process,especially when the design layout changes during installation. The priorart fluid flow systems typically have a number of valves that are placedthroughout the system as the piping is laid out. As the designer buildsthe system, and modifications to the fluid flow path need to be made,the designer must redesign the layout thereby moving the placement ofthe valves. In addition, after the system is in place, it is commonlydesirable to modify the piping by changing the fluid path, adding lines,subtracting lines, changing the position of instruments or ports, etc.In such cases, valves must be removed, relocated, or added. In the priorart, removing, adding, or relocating valves is a cumbersome process. Inaddition, valves frequently must be removed from the system forinspection, replacement or repair. Furthermore, the valves themselvesmay be difficult to install, remove, or replace, especially if differentvalve pieces require further assembly prior to or during installation.

[0004] Therefore, it is desired to provide a mounting bracket for avalve that may be easily pre-placed within the system and moved asdesired or necessitated, and further provides for easy installation andreplacement of the valve once it is installed. It is further desired toprovide a valve actuator that may be stored in a pre-assembled manner sothat installation of the valve is simplified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A valve mounting bracket for securing a valve within a fluid flowsystem. In one embodiment, the valve mounting bracket has a mountingbracket base plate; a retaining clip, and a mechanism for securing avalve in a snap-together engagement. A snap wing located on the mountingbracket may be positioned to provide the snap-together engagement with amember located on the valve.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a valve actuatorhousing that is secured in snap-together engagement. In one embodiment,the snap-together actuator housing has a first actuator housing, amechanism associated with the first actuator housing for providinginterlocking assembly of the first actuator housing with a secondactuator housing, and an actuator located within the housing. A set ofsnap wings located on the first actuator housing may be positioned toprovide the interlocking assembly between the first and second actuatorhousings.

[0007] Another aspect of present invention is a method of designing afluid flow system. In one embodiment valve mounting brackets arepositioned with a fluid flow system, and are secured therein. Valves areattached to each of the valve mounting brackets via a snap-togetherengagement mechanism, such as a snap wing positioned on the valvemounting bracket to engage a member located on the valve.

[0008] In one embodiment, the snap-together actuator housing, valvemounting bracket and method of designing a fluid flow system are usedtogether to provide an easy to install, maintain, relocate, replace andrepair valves within a fluid piping system. In other embodiments of thepresent invention, the valve mounting bracket, snap-together actuatorhousing, and method of designing a fluid flow system are used separatelyor in different combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the inventionare illustrated, which, together with a general description of theinvention given above, and the detailed description given below serve toillustrate the principles of this invention.

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve assembly of the presentinvention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a valve assembly of the presentinvention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a snap-together valve actuatorassembly;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-together valve actuatorassembly;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a snap-together valve actuatorassembly

[0015]FIG. 6 is a valve mounting bracket and valve assembly prior toengagement;;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a partially engaged valve mounting bracket and valveassembly;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a valve mounting bracket and valve assembly ininterlocking engagement;

[0018]FIG. 9A is an isometric view of another embodiment of the valvemounting bracket.

[0019]FIG. 9B is a top view of the valve mounting bracket shown in FIG.9A.

[0020]FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9B taken through A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, a valve assembly in accordance with thepresent invention, generally referenced as 10, provides for a valve body20, an actuator assembly 30, and a valve mounting bracket 40. The valvebody 20 may be any number of valves that are known to those skilled inthe art. The Figures used to illustrate the invention generally show aradial diaphragm valve; however one skilled in the art would understandand appreciate incorporating the present invention into different valvebody types and configurations.

[0022] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an actuatorhousing is secured by an interlocking snap mechanism. In one embodiment,the actuator assembly 30 is a snap together assembly comprising a bottomhousing 32 a, a top housing 32 b, and a mechanism for interlockingsnap-assembly of the top and bottom housings 32 a, 32 b. In theillustrated embodiment this mechanism is realized in the form of two ormore snap wings 34, four such snap wings 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, and 34 d areillustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The actuator assemblyfurther comprises an actuating means 35.

[0023] The top housing 32 b has a top surface 36, a bottom surface 37,and side surfaces 38. The top surface 36 has a set of bolt holes 39therethrough for receiving bolts 41 that secure the top housing 32 b tothe bottom housing 32 a, and the actuator housing 32 to the valve body20 and mounting plate 42 upon installation of the valve and actuator.The snap wings 34 secure the top housing 32 b to the bottom housing 32 auntil the bolts are tightened, whereupon the pressure on the snap wings34 is alleviated by the bolts 41.

[0024] The actuator housing 32 contains one or more ports 44 that aregenerally placed along the sides of the actuator housing. The ports 44provide access to and interact with the actuating means 35 as discussedin further detail below. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the ports 44are shown as two air inlets located on the sides of the actuator housing32, one on either half of the housing, and are in fluid communicationwith a chamber having a cylinder piston 48 which acts as the actuatingmeans 35. The ports 44 may take on a number of shapes, sizes andconfigurations. For example, the ports 44 shown in FIG. 3 are circularwith a raised ridge for receipt of an air supply line. Furthermore, theports 44 in FIG. 3 are staggered to accommodate the supply lines. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that these ports may be lined up orspread further apart, and that they may be a number of different shapesand sizes depending on the size, location and type of supply line andthe valve configuration. Further, as will be described in further detailbelow, the ports may be on opposite or adjacent sides of the actuatorhousing to accommodate the location of the supply lines.

[0025] The snap wings 34 are plastic tabs that protrude from the bottomsurface of the top housing 32 b and are received in slits 46 formed inthe bottom housing. In one embodiment, the snap wings 34 are moldedplastics tabs that are integral with the top housing 32 b, however oneskilled in the art would appreciate that the snap wings 34 may also bemachined and/or non-integral to the top housing 32 b. Furthermore, inone embodiment, the slits 46 are molded into the bottom housing 32 a;however, the slits 46 may also be machined. The snap wings may be madeof similar material as the actuator housing 32, for examplepolypropylene, perfluoroalkoxy, or polyvinylidenfluoride, or a differentsuitable material. The snap wings 34 are generally planar with a ridge50 along the end portion 51 of the snap wings.

[0026] As the top housing 32 b is brought together with the bottomhousing 32 a, the snap wings 34 are aligned with and received into theslits 46 on the bottom housing 32 a. The snap wings 34 are angledoutward towards the sides of the actuator housing, such as to providecontact between the snap wing 34 and the inner wall 52 of thecorresponding slit 46 upon insertion of the snap wing. As the snap wings34 are inserted further into the corresponding slits 46, the ridge 50contacts the inner wall 52 and the snap wing 34 flexes inwardly. Oncethe ridge reaches surface 55 and the snap wings 34 snap outward towardthe sides of the actuator housing, thereby securing the ridge 50 againstsurface 55 and locking the two housing portions together. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6, the end of the snap wing 34 and the ridge 50located thereon are connected by a beveled edge 56 to allow for easierinsertion of the snap wing 34. The snap wings 34 are sized such thatridge 50 rests against or approximate to surface 55 when the top housing32 b contacts with the bottom housing 32 a. In one embodiment the snapwing 34 is completed encased within the bottom housing 32 a therebyproviding for a permanent assembly of the actuator housing. It should beappreciated that a portion of the bottom actuator housing 32 a may becut away to provide access to the ridge 50 on the snap wing 34 tofacilitate disassembly of the actuator housing. A suitable gasket, orother seal, 58 is placed along recess 59 in the top housing 32 b toprovide a seal against the bottom housing 32 a at surface 60. It shouldbe noted that the length of the snap wings may vary depending on thethickness of the actuator housing; however, longer snap wings are moreflexible.

[0027] While four snap wings are generally shown in the Figures, oneskilled in the art would appreciate that more or less snap wings couldbe used. The number and strength of the snap wings need only besufficient to secure the actuator housing portions together. In order tosecure the actuator housing portions together, the snap wings shouldmaintain their interlocking engagement against any expected opposingforce exerted on the housing for a particular application. For example,as shown in FIG. 5, a spring 62 is used to provide a force against theactuator piston 48. Such force is subsequently transferred to theactuator housing and thus must be overcome in order to secure theactuator housing pieces together. Further, it may be desirable toenhance strength of the snap wings such that the actuator will remaintogether upon the addition of air pressure to the actuator.

[0028] The snap wings may be configured such as to provide for a one-wayassembly, a two-way assembly, or a four-way assembly by adjusting thesize, location and number of snap wings. For example, larger wings andsmaller wings may be used in a given combination to designate a requiredor predetermined orientation for assembly. Further, offsetting the snapwings to one side further provides for the orientation of the assembly.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, small wings and large wings areemployed in an every-other fashion wherein the offset of the large wingsare complementary and the offset of the small wings are complementaryThis snap wing arrangement permits the actuator housing to be assembledwith two different orientations, rotated 180° from one another. Thispermits the installation of actuator supply lines on either the sameside of the actuator housing, or on opposite sides of the actuatorhousing, at the discretion of the installer. If one of the snap wings,along with its corresponding slit, were removed, or if the snap wingswere offset to the same side (instead of opposite sides as shown in FIG.3), the actuator housing could only be snapped-together in a singleorientation, thereby fixing the location of the actuator supply lines.Alternatively, if all the snap wings are the same size with similaroffsets, the actuator housing could be assembled in any one of fourorientations, each separated by 90°.

[0029] Upon the assembly of a valve with an actuator, the actuator maybe snapped-together and stored as a pre-assembly unit, therebypermitting the installation of the actuator as a unit. The bolts 40 areused to secure the actuator assembly to the valve body 20 and mountingplate 42. Once the bolts 40 are tightened, the spring-force from spring62 is removed from the snap wings 34 and distributed among the bolts 40.The mounting plate 42 may then be snapped into position on the valvemounting bracket 40.

[0030] The valve mounting bracket 40 is a molded, or machined, plasticpiece that is designed to mate with and secure the mounting plate 42,and thereby secure the valve 20 and actuator assembly 30 in place.Although the mounting bracket 40 is shown as a generally rectangularunit in the Figures, one skilled in the art would appreciate how tomodify the bracket to accommodate valves and valve mounting plates ofdifferent shapes. The mounting bracket 40 may be made of any suitablemolded material, including polypropylene, perfluoroalkoxy, orpolyvinylidenfluoride.

[0031] The valve mounting bracket 40 comprises a base plate 70, aretaining clip 72, and a snap wing 74. The base plate 70, is generallyrectangular shaped to conform to or otherwise fit the mounting plate 42,although other geometries may be used. Support side walls 76, whichraise above the top surface 78 of the base plate 70, may be added toprovide strength and durability to the mounting bracket 40. In oneembodiment, the side walls do not continue all the way around thebracket, but instead have a break point, typically towards the center ofthe bracket. Such an embodiment functions to provide a mating fit withthe mounting plate 42 and to provide easier access to valve inlet andoutlet ports, 77 a and 77 b respectively.

[0032] The top surface 78 of the base plate 70 contains a set of screwholes 80 for mounting the bracket. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8,two screw tabs 82 located on the mounting plate 42 to allow the valve tobe secured with the use bracket. In another embodiments, three or morescrew tabs 82 are employed. In one embodiment, a flow directionindicator 85 is placed on the mounting bracket 40 to indicate thedirection of the flow through the valve, and hence the properinstallation orientation. In the embodiment in FIGS. 6-8, the flowdirection indicator 85 is an arrow that is placed on the top surface 78of the mounting bracket, and upon assembly points in the same directionof flow as indicated by the valve direction indicator 87.

[0033] The retaining clip 72 is formed on a first side 88 of the topsurface 78 of the mounting bracket. The retaining clip 72 has a opening90 in the rear 92 of the retaining clip 72 for engagement and retentionof tab 94 located on the mounting plate 42. In one embodiment, the tab94 has a gusset 96 to provide strength and support of the tab 94. Insuch an embodiment, the retaining clip 72 contains a cut-out portion 96along the top surface 98 to allow easy insertion and removal of the tab94.

[0034] The snap wing 74 is a molded plastic tab that protrude from thetop surface 78 of the mounting bracket 40 and positioned received wedge100 locate on one side of the mounting plate 42. The snap wing 74 isgenerally planar with a hook 102 at the top end 104 that rests along thetop ridge 106 of the wedge 100 when the valve is moved into the securedposition. While the snap wing 74 may be a variety of sizes, a longersnap wing is more flexible thereby allowing the snap-wing to be releasedmore easily. Thus, in one embodiment the snap wing 74 originates alongthe top surface 78 of the mounting bracket and curves down towards thebottom of the mounting bracket before curving back up towards the valveassembly through opening 108 in the mounting bracket.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, to mount the valve body 20 and mountingplate 42 to the valve mounting bracket 40, the valve body and mountingbracket are brought toward the mounting bracket at an angle towards theretaining clip 72 and in the direction as indicted by the respectiveflow direction indicators 85 and 87. The tab 94 is inserted into theretaining clip 72 and then the other side of the valve body is broughttowards the mounting bracket. The snap wing 74 slides along wedge 100until the hook 102 secures against the top ridge 106 of the wedge 100.The size of the snap wing 74 and the wedge 100 should be such that whenthe hook 102 is secured against the top ridge 106 of the wedge 100, thebottom surface of the mounting plate 42 rests substantially flat againstthe top surface 78 of the valve mounting bracket 40.

[0036] The valve mounting bracket 40 described above may be used inconnection with a variety of manual and pneumatic valves. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 9A-C, the mounting bracket 40′ is configuredfor mounting a valve at an angle. In order to accommodate such amounting orientation, the bottom surface 109 of the mounting bracket isangled by providing a longer mounting bracket side surface 110. Byallowing the valve to be mounted at an angle, the mounting bracketdescribed herein may be employed for a variety of weir valves. As anillustrative example, the angle α may be approximately 50° which istypically optimal for draining weir valves. One skilled in the art wouldappreciate that other desired angles could be obtained by varying thelength of the mounting bracket side surface 109.

[0037] The valve mounting bracket 40 may be used, either in conjunctionwith the snap assembly valve actuator 30 or by itself, to provide for amethod of designing, modifying, and repairing a fluid flow system. Sincethe valve mounting bracket 40 may be easily installed and subsequentlymoved to different positions within the fluid flow system, designing newsystems and modifying existing systems can be accomplished with relativeease. This is important as frequently a designer must design the fluidflow system around existing structures and/or modify the fluid flowsystem to add a line, remove a line, change the flow path, or otherwisemodify the piping of the system. Additionally, use of the valve mountingbracket 40 facilitates easy removal of a valve from a system. This savestime and cost when valves must be removed, added, relocated, or takenout for replacement or repair. Combining the valve mounting bracket 40with the snap assembly valve actuator 30 provides for further ease ofassembly of a fluid flow system.

[0038] While the specification has generally described a mountingbracket for a valve, one skilled in the art will appreciate that thebracket can be employed to secure other devices. For example, a mountingbracket can be designed to secure a manifold, a flow metering device orother fluid flow system devices.

[0039] Although the invention has been disclosed and described withrespect to certain preferred embodiments, certain variations andmodifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading thisspecification. Any such variations and modifications are within thepurview of the invention notwithstanding the defining limitations of theaccompanying claims and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe applicant's general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve actuator assembly comprising: a firstactuator housing; a mechanism associated with said first actuatorhousing for providing interlocking assembly of said first actuatorhousing with a second actuator housing; and an actuating means.
 2. Thevalve actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for providinginterlocking assembly comprises two or more snap wings and a set ofcorresponding slits positioned for receipt for said snap wings.
 3. Thevalve actuator assembly of claim 2, wherein said snap wings are ofsufficient length to pass through said second actuator housing andsecure against the underside of said second actuator housing.
 4. Thevalve actuator assembly of claim 3, wherein said snap wings comprise atab for securing said snap wings against the underside of said secondactuator housing.
 5. The valve actuator assembly of claim 2, whereinsaid set of snap wings comprise four snap wings that are positioned andsized to permit two actuator housing orientations that are 180° apart.6. The valve actuator assembly of claim 2, wherein said set of four snapwings alternate between two different sizes.
 7. The valve actuatorassembly of claim 2, wherein said set of snap wings comprise three snapwings and said means for receiving said snap wings comprises a set ofcorresponding slits for receiving said snap wings in a single actuatorhousing orientation.
 8. The valve actuator assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid snap wings connect said first and second actuator housings and holdthem against a spring force created by said actuating means.
 9. Thevalve actuator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a gasketpositioned in a recess in one of said actuator housings to providesecure engagement between said first and second actuator housings whenassembled.
 10. The valve actuator assembly of claim 1, wherein saidvalve assembly is comprised of molded plastic.
 11. The valve actuatorassembly of claim 10, wherein said valve assembly is polypropylene,perfluoroalkoxy, or polyvinylidenfluoride.
 12. The valve actuatorassembly of claim 1, further comprising a set of one or more bolts thatconnect said first and second actuator housings.
 13. A valve mountingbracket comprising: a mounting bracket base plate; a retaining clip; anda mechanism for securing a valve in a snap-together engagement.
 14. Thevalve mounting bracket of claim 13, wherein said mechanism for securinga valve comprises a snap wing located on said mounting bracketpositioned to engage a member located on a valve.
 15. The valve mountingbracket of claim 13 further comprising a set of one or more screw holes.16. The valve mounting bracket of claim 13, wherein said mountingbracket mates with a corresponding valve mounting plate.
 17. The valvemounting bracket of claim 14, wherein said snap wing engages a surfaceof a wedge portion of said valve mounting plate.
 18. The valve mountingbracket of claim 16, wherein retaining clip is positioned to receive atab located on said valve mounting plate in a first opening.
 19. Thevalve mounting bract of claim 18, wherein said retaining clip furthercomprises a second opening for receipt of a gusset located on said tab.20. The valve mounting bracket of claim 14, wherein said snap wing ismolded to the top portion of said valve mounting base plate, curvesdownward towards the underside of said base plate, and then curves backupward towards the valve mounting plate passing through a cutout portionof said base plate.
 21. The valve mounting bracket of claim 13, whereinsaid bracket is comprised of molded plastic.
 22. The valve mountingbracket of claim 21, wherein said bracket is polypropylene,perfluoroalkoxy, or polyvinylidenfluoride.
 23. The valve mountingbracket of claim 13, wherein said valve mounting base plate is angledthereby angling the valve upon mounting.
 24. The valve mounting bracketof claim 23, wherein said valve mounting base plate is angled atapproximately 50 degrees.
 25. The valve mounting bracket of claim 13,further comprising a flow direction indicator.
 26. The valve mountingbracket of claim 15, wherein said screw holes are aligned with a set ofone or more screw tabs located on a valve mounting plate.
 27. A valvemounting assembly comprising: a snap-together actuator connectable to avalve body, wherein said valve body further comprises a valve mountingplate for engaging a valve mounting bracket.
 28. The valve mountingassembly of claim 27 wherein said valve mounting plate is discrete fromsaid valve body.
 29. The valve mounting assembly of claim 27, whereinsaid snap-together actuator comprises: a first actuator housing; two ormore snap wings integrally attached to said first actuator housing; asecond actuator housing comprising a means for receiving said snapwings; and an actuating means.
 30. The valve mounting assembly of claim29, wherein said means for receiving the snap wings comprises a set ofslits positioned for receipt for said snap wings; wherein said snapwings are of sufficient length to pass through said second actuatorhousing and secure against the underside of said second actuatorhousing; and wherein said snap wings comprise a tab for securing saidsnap wings against the underside of said second actuator housing. 31.The valve mounting assembly of claim 29, wherein said set of snap wingscomprise four snap wings that are positioned and sized to permit twoactuator housing orientations that are 180° apart.
 32. The valvemounting assembly of claim 31, wherein said set of four snap wingsalternate between two different sizes.
 33. The valve mounting assemblyof claim 29, wherein said set of snap wings comprise three snap wingsand said means for receiving said snap wings comprises a set ofcorresponding slits for receiving said snap wings in a single actuatorhousing orientation.
 34. The valve mounting assembly of claim 27,wherein said valve mounting bracket comprises: a mounting bracket baseplate; a retaining clip comprising a first cutout portion; a set of oneor more screw holes; and a snap wing.
 35. The valve mounting assembly ofclaim 34, wherein said snap wing engages a surface of a wedge portion ofsaid valve mounting plate; wherein retaining clip is positioned toreceive a tab located on said valve mounting plate in said first cutoutportion; and wherein said retaining clip further comprises a secondcutout portion for receipt of a gusset located on said tab.
 36. Thevalve mounting assembly of claim 34, wherein said valve mounting baseplate is angled thereby angling the valve upon mounting.
 37. The valvemounting assembly of claim 34, further comprising a flow directionindicator located on the valve mounting plate and valve mountingbracket.
 38. A method of assembly a system comprising one or more valve,comprising the steps of: laying out the system and approximating thelocation of the valves; mounting a valve mounting bracket at thedesignated locations within the system in the direction indicated by aflow direction indicator; snap assembling a valve with a valve mountingplate to said valve mounting bracket in the direction of the flowdirection indicator; assembling a snap-together valve actuatorsub-assembly; and mounting said valve actuator sub-assembly to saidvalve.
 39. A valve actuator assembly comprising: a first and a secondactuator housing coupled in interlocking engagement by a snap-togethermechanism.
 40. A method of creating a fluid flow system comprising thesteps of: positioning one or more valve mounting brackets with a fluidflow system; securing the valve mounting brackets; attaching a valve toeach of said valve mounting brackets via a snap-together engagementmechanism.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein said snap-togetherengagement mechanism comprises a snap wing positioned on the valvemounting bracket for engagement with a member located on the valve. 42.The method of claim 40 further comprising the step of selectivelyremoving one or more of said valves for repair, maintenance,replacement, removal or relocation.